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Project 2: Contextual fit

The Smith family home by Richard Meier

The Smith House is a work of contemporary architecture designed by Richard Meier, a well-known architect born in 1934 who led the avant-garde modern architecture movement of the 1960s. The Smith House was planned starting in 1965 and completed in 1967 in Darien, Connecticut, and overlooks the Long Island Sound from the Connecticut coast. The 2,800 square-foot home has been featured in numerous books and has won various prestigious awards. (Wikipedia)

Objective

Explores the diagrammatic analysis of existing systems and patterns and the idea of integrated fit into an existing order that also highlights new patterns and values.  The use of metaphors and analogies are used to strengthen design ideas and express cultural values.  

Using the techniques and inspiration from Richard Meier's original smith family home to create and design a theoretical addition to the home containing an exercise room, living space, master bed, bath and walk-in closet as well as a dedicated outdoor space.

Contextual Analysis

Sorting

Public spaces

Existing:

- Dining room

- Family room

- Kitchen

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Proposed: 

-Living room

-Exercise room

-Outdoor space

Narrative

Private spaces

Existing:

- Bedrooms

- Bathrooms

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Proposed:

- Master bedroom

- Master bathroom

- Walk-in closet

Inspiration

The Armstrong family are planning on buying a new home on the shore of CT. The home was previously owned by the smith family. However the Armstrong family are not quite happy with the space and would like to add an addition to the home and include a master bedroom, an exercise room, master bath, and a walk-in closet, family room and a formal outdoor area. The Armstrong family are direct descendants of the world renowned Neil Armstrong, one of the first astronauts to land on the moon and want to design the addition to commemorate him. The family has grown to love astronomy and take great interest in the cosmos. In addition to the home, the hierarchical most important section is to be the living space with an outdoor deck. The clients also request a party deck and area to observe the stars from their telescope. In addition to all the living space requirements, the owners request that the master bedroom be on the top floor on their home addition and overlooking the long island sound. While staying true to the original design, the addition is to morph itself into the original structure seamlessly respecting geometrical shapes and shades of color. My idea for the clients is to add an overhang above the party deck to provide shade in the shave of a solar flare/lense flare seen by stars and own sun. With that, the big dipper is one of the most famous constalations int eh night sky so the site plan will be inspired by its spoon like form.

Inspiration plan view

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Inspiration for overhang

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Preliminary  Designs

Chosen Design

Final Design

Circulation

Hierarchy

Original Site Plan

Proposed Site PLan

Floor Plans

Elevations

Sections

3D Views

Space functionality and inspiration

Living Space

The exercise room was designed to incorporate an outdoor patio that can double as an extension to the gym where the option to workout inside or outside are available. The shade is provided by the overhead walkway and retaining walls from the excavated portion of the topography provide privacy

Outdoor Gym Patio

The exercise room was designed to incorporate an outdoor patio that can double as an extension to the gym where the option to workout inside or outside are available. The shade is provided by the overhead walkway and retaining walls from the excavated portion of the topography provide privacy

Roof/Party deck

The roof deck plays a pivotal role in the functionality of the addition being one of the main spaces surrounding the hierarchy, that being the living space. The living space can be seen through the glass curtainwall. The curtainwall also acts as another viewport of the long island sound. Above the deck is a wooden overhang that provides shade during the summertime and is designed in the shape of a solar flare (Right)

The site plan when seen from Arial view was directly inspired by the big dipper constellation. The footprint of the structure resembles the scoop part of the dipper and the ramp to the beachfront resembles the handle

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